The proposal is for the council to spend £1.2million on this ‘Street Clutter’ from money scrimped and saved from other contracts, such as park maintenance. It is being rushed through so they can construct them in June.
Our money is paying for this “High Street Regeneration”:
a giant green house in front of some lovely High Street buildings (the Aberdeen buildings, see more here) containing a stepped stage and kinked line of school style tables, and for
two ill-considered funnel sculptures on the High Street.
The High Street ‘Regeneration’ proposals. From left to right: A fountain to link to St Blaise’s well; this is supposed to look like the broom flower. A huge greenhouse blocking the front of the 1887 French Empire frontage. And this double concrete funnel is not how the Time Machine is depicted elsewhere. The Council chose designers whose ‘house style’ is funnels and who have previous installations of large glass houses. What a missed opportunity.
The funnel designs are recycled from a failed bid for the Sudanese peace memorial, and are previously used in several shopping centre proposals. This is not the architect’s fault – this is what our council and/or it’s planners, chose from their bidding process. Whilst the designers consulted the Civic Society as an identified stakeholder, they were never going to take our suggestions on board and amend these poor choices, as the outlines of these designs had been picked by our Council/civil servants.
We are grateful to everyone who took the time to object to this development.
66-70 high street proposed 12 storeys behind Maplins
The Development and Control Committee voted 9 to 8 to reject the proposal for the ugly dominating tower over the former Maplins shop.
Losing the application by one vote, means that it is very likely to go to appeal. Still, it is much better to go to appeal than have this block. The latest set of plans were significantly different from the original proposals; the tower was reduced in height (but not enough) and the lovely neo-Georgian shopfront was retained (good) but reduced to a façade (bad). It was still a homage to 1960’s brutalism.
The worst thing about the application was that it would be cited as precedent, so that the other 8 high-rises would be almost certain to be approved:
The current Neo-Georgian building on the corner of Ethelbert Road:
Neo-Gothic shop with juliet balconies and pediments over the windows
Posted inArchive|Tagged66-70 High Street|Comments Off on Thanks to your help – Maplin tower block rejected by one vote!
Bromley council’s planning officers have recommended that our Development and control committee should approve a 12-storey high rise to be built over the former Maplin’s shop on the corner of Ethelbert Road. This means that it’s almost certain to go ahead.
Dominates the high street
66-70 high street proposed 12 storeys behind Maplins
Bearing in mind the council elections are in May, please email as many of the following as you can?
Please excuse any duplicates that have not been spotted; they were repeated in the different strategic-objectives tables.
It is expected that many of these will not be welcomed by their park’s community.
And… what if your park has no objectives?
Town Centre Parks:
In General
“Investigate repurposing urban centre open spaces, to support the local economy (As identified in the Bromley Local Plan)” (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, Actions column, item 1)
In General
“Develop key town centre open spaces to support a growing night-time economy” (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, Actions column, item 2)
2022/23:
“Improve the Open Space Portfolio built form opportunities in Bromley’s key town centres starting with a Pilot project improvement scheme for The Glasmill Lane Reservoir at Church House Gardens” (SO2 Sustainable Assets, Built Form, Function and Open Space, page 26, item 10)
2022/23:
Develop (built? sustainable?) proposals for Church House Garden (SO2 Sustainable Assets, Built Form, Function and Open Space, page 26, item 13)
2022/23:
“Deliver feasibility study into town centre open spaces and ways in which they may contribute to the Bromley economy” (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, item 1)
2022/23:
“Create a ‘green town’ model programme and initiate pilot projects at Church House Gardens, Queen’s Gardens, Library Gardens, Martin’s Hill, Queensmead, Palace Park and College Green” (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, item 1)
2023/24:
“Undertake feasibility study into solar and wind power on Martins Hill and Church House Gardens” (SO3 zero carbon, page 28, item 3)
2023/24:
“Create a ‘green town’ model programme and initiate pilot projects at Church House Gardens, Queen’s Gardens, Library Gardens, Martin’s Hill, Queensmead, Palace Park and College Green” (SO3 zero carbon, page 28, item 4)
Alexandra Recreation Ground
2022/23: Develop proposals (built? sustainable?) for (SO2 Sustainable Assets, Built Form, Function and Open Space, page 26, Column 2022/23, item 13)
Betts Park
2021/22: Review and plan the redevelopment of play areas (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, Column 2021/22, item 8)
Develop plans for the provision of new play facilities (2021/22 action page 39)
Biggin Hill Recreation Ground
2021/22: Develop detailed proposals for initial phase of pilot projects (built? sustainable?) within 3-year programme (SO2 Sustainable Assets, Built Form, Function and Open Space, page 26, Column 2021/22, item 8)
2023/24: Develop pilot proposals (clean energy generation) (SO3 zero carbon, page 28, Column 2023/24, item 2)
2022/23: Deliver improved grass root sports facilities (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, Column 2022/23, item 5)
2022/23: Attract larger scale funds for strategic open space aspirations – as key open space (SO5 Financially Viable Open Space Portfolio, Page 32, Column 2022/23, item 2)
Croydon Road Recreation Ground
2022/23: Develop and deliver a grant funded restoration programme to the Edwardian bandstand to create an enhanced community facility (SO2 Sustainable Assets, Built Form, Function and Open Space, page 26, Column 2022/23, item 12)
2023/24: Develop improvement plans to reflect their uniqueness, history and horticulture, customer expectation and to support the local economy” (SO2 Sustainable Assets, Built Form, Function and Open Space, page 26, Column 2023/24, item 3)
2023/24: Develop improvement plans to reflect their uniqueness, history and horticulture, customer expectation and to support the local economy (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, Column 2023/24, item 2)
2023/24: Attract larger scale funds for strategic open space aspirations – as key open space (SO5 Financially Viable Open Space Portfolio, Page 32, Column 2023/24, item 2)
Crystal Palace Park
2021/22: Develop and implement an environmental awareness and opportunities programme predominantly through BEECHE 2-year programme (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, Column 2021/22, item 5)
2022/23: Develop and implement Year-2 of the environmental awareness and opportunities programme” (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, Column 2022/23, item 4)
Farnborough Recreation Ground
2021/22: Develop and deliver grant funded projects improving cricket and pitch playing surfaces (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, Column 2021/22, item 7)
Deliver projects (2021/22 action page 39)
Goddington Park
2021/22: Secure and deliver a grant funded improvement scheme for facilities supporting grass root sports (SO5 Financially Viable Open Space Portfolio, Page 32, Column 2021/22, item 6)
High Elms
unknown – Transform the Bromley Environmental Education Centre at High Elms (BEECHE) into an accredited centre for learning (KSS 7 – Learning Open Space improve BEECHE income generation)
2023/24: Investigate wind/solar power and ground store heat exchangers and deliver Pilot projects (SO3 zero carbon, page 28, Column 2023/24, item 1)
2023/24: Assess feasibility of health and wellbeing and other opportunities for physical activity for children, youth and seniors at rural locations (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, Column 2023/24, item 2)
Hoblingwell Wood Recreation Ground
2021/22: Secure and deliver a new grant funded cycle track and community club (SO5 Financially Viable Open Space Portfolio, Page 32, Column 2021/22, item 7) & (2021/22 action page 39)
Kelsey Park
2023/24: Develop improvement plans to reflect their uniqueness, history and horticulture, customer expectation and to support the local economy” (SO2 Sustainable Assets, Built Form, Function and Open Space, page 26, Column 2023/24, item 3) & (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, Column 2023/24, item 2)
2023/24: Attract larger scale funds for strategic open space aspirations – as key open space (SO5 Financially Viable Open Space Portfolio, Page 32, Column 2023/24, item 2)
Kings Meadow Recreation Ground
2021/22: Deliver enhanced play provision (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, Column 2021/22, item 6) & Deliver projects (2021/22 action page 39)
Norman Park
2021/22: Develop detailed proposals for initial phase of pilot projects (built? sustainable?) within 3-year programme (SO2 Sustainable Assets, Built Form, Function and Open Space, page 26, Column 2021/22, item 8)
2022/23: Deliver a sustainable rolling 3-year events programme – as one of Bromley’s key event and activity sites through the development plan (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, Column 2022/23, item 3)
2022/23: Deliver improved grass root sports facilities (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, Column 2022/23, item 5)
2022/23: Attract larger scale funds for strategic open space aspirations – as key open space (SO5 Financially Viable Open Space Portfolio, Page 32, Column 2022/23, item 2)
2023/24: Develop pilot proposals (clean energy generation) (SO3 zero carbon, page 28, Column 2023/24, item 2)
Old Hill Playground
2021/22: Review and plan the redevelopment of play areas (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, Column 2021/22, item 8) & Develop plans for the provision of new play facilities (2021/22 action page 39)
Palace Square
2021/22: Review and plan the redevelopment of play areas (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, Column 2021/22, item 8) & Develop plans for the provision of new play facilities (2021/22 action page 39)
Poverest Park
2021/22: Secure and deliver a grant funded improvement scheme for facilities supporting grass root sports (SO5 Financially Viable Open Space Portfolio, Page 32, Column 2021/22, item 6) & (2021/22 action page 39)
Priory Gardens
2023/24: Develop and consult upon a horticultural ‘Arts and Crafts’ model (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, Column 2023/24, item 2)
Scadbury Park
2021/22: Develop and deliver a grant funded repair works project to protect the vulnerable brickwork at the historic Scadbury Moated Manor remains (SO2 Sustainable Assets, Built Form, Function and Open Space, page 26, Column 2021/22, item 10)
2021/22: Develop a 5-year master plan to conserve and create a sustainable open space asset,… (SO2 Sustainable Assets, Built Form, Function and Open Space, page 26, Column 2021/22, item 11)
2021/22: Scadbury Moated Manor repair project, master plan development (2021/22 action page 39)
2023/24: Investigate wind/solar power and ground store heat exchangers and deliver Pilot projects (SO3 zero carbon, page 28, Column 2023/24, item 1)
2023/24: Assess feasibility of health and wellbeing and other opportunities for physical activity for children, youth and seniors at rural locations (SO4 supporting the local economy, page 30, Column 2023/24, item 2)
This draft strategy is the plan for our Parks, open- and green-spaces for the next ten years. The devil is in the (very) small print: to rank and ‘dispose’ of an unnamed number of parks/open spaces.
The council has provided a survey for you to input your views. However, it seems to mislead the participant into (1) filling in their open space usage (2) focussing on the least controversial content of the Strategy (which is conveniently hidden in size 6 font in a sideways table).
Instead, you might also want to email: william@ocat.co.uk (portfolio holder) James.Hilsden@bromley.gov.uk & will.harmer@bromley.gov.uk with the following points (putting them in your own words would be good):
* we need is an Open Space Strategy in which the Council “brave enough” to resist ‘repurposing‘ of any more Open Space. This comment leads on to our conviction that open spaces are a precious amenity and there should be no question of ‘development’ or ‘disposal’ for whatever reason.
The developers who own the shop, that was formerly Maplins, have amended and re-submitted their planning application – please object! Here’s the link to the application (so click the Comments tab, then add a comment, chosing ‘Objection’ as the reason) https://searchapplications.bromley.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=Q0UFGIBTHXZ00 Unfortunately, it looks like this one will go to appeal, and the more objections to this latest manifestation would really help the case.
Iceni Projects (the developer?) has produced rebuttal documents to counter the reasons from the last hearing. However, they don’t seem to have taken on board that their building is oversized, out of character, and ugly. Though they have reduced the height, we feel that:
* at 12 storeys it is still over-sized, and out of step with the rest of the buildings in this part of the high street, that are only 2-4 storeys high.
* The proposed building is right on the top of the ridge and much too high. It will stick out like a sore thumb when viewed from the railway. It will overlook the flats above the high street shops, Ethelbert and Ravensbourne Road. If the white in the picture is concrete then it will be black and mouldy after ten years.
* It is out of scale and character with the area and adjacent Conservation Area (contrary to Council policy 42) – a cheap squat concrete car-park style building which will stick out over the High Street and surrounding areas.
* It is ugly and poorly proportioned building. Definitely not a good quality or appealing design, and the statement that it is “delivering high quality development” is clearly false.
* the facade proposal is horrible. Instead of retaining the lovely Neo-Georgian shop, there is just the very front left, placing a really ugly cheap dark storey behind – it is not complimentary and clashes badly.
We also note that there will be no Affordable Rent flats provided, just Shared Ownership (Affordable Rent housing is not provided on ‘viability’ grounds).
The ugly 12-storey proposal from Iceni Projects, reducing our lovely Neo-Georgian shop to a thin brick frontage to an ugly dark fronted building.The over-sized and over-shadowing proposal for the former Maplin shop
The lovely Neo-Georgian shop that they are replacing:
The existing shop, formerly Maplin’s. Neo-Georgian brick building with fine pediments.
The Parish school, then known as the National School, was built on the corner of North Street and College Road, in 1854. The building was especially designed for it, by the eminent architect James Piers St Aubyn, who also designed the romantic additions to Saint Michael’s Mount in Cornwall.
Bromley National School, from the BBLHS’s Cuwood Collection
It was locally listed and, protected as a key building in a Conservation Area but nevertheless in 1987 the Council offered it to the Methodist Church to relocate from their existing site which the Council wanted for what was to become the Glades shopping centre. Thus, it was demolished.
Parish School in the 1980s
The old National School was a successor to the Bromley Charity School that started in 1717, in an old gravel pit that’s now covered by the south corner of Bromley South station. The children of the working or middle classes were not normally educated in that day and age, so it was remarkable that the Bishop of Rochester (they were Lords of the Manor of Bromley) funded 10 boys, and (surprisingly), 10 girls. This attitude of not educating poorer people changed with the Elementary Education act of 1880 requiring all children to be schooled.
According to HG Wells, funding these school places was in opposition to the great and the good of the Vestry (who ran the town until it became incorporated in 1901 with a Local Board), as it was
“achieved against considerable resistance. There was a strong objection in those days to the use of public funds for the education of “other people’s children”, and he continues to say that the school offered
“a mere foundation of an education that saw to the children up to the age of thirteen or even fourteen, and no further.”
Glimpse of the school from Barrie-Gibson’s 1977 film of the County Court being extended over College Green. Thanks to Bromley Gloss.
Homeopathy was a popular treatment in Bromley, starting in 1865 when part of the White Hart Inn was opened as a homeopathic dispensary, and when it outgrew this accommodation, Bromley’s first homeopathic hospital opened in 1889 at 19 Widmore Road. This backed onto White Hart Field (part of which is now Queens Gardens).
“When a new homeopathic hospital was under discussion, the Lord of the Manor, Coles Child, presented White Hart Field to Bromley in 1897, part given for the hospital and the rest laid out as a public recreation ground.”
“Phillips Homeopathic Hospital had opened in 1900, was enlarged further in 1907, but it was bombed in WWII by a direct hit and although it temporarily became a home for homeless people, escalating costs meant that it was eventually demolished in 1951.”
With the recreation ground next door, patients had used what was then called Victoria Gardens, but now renamed to Queens Gardens, during their convalescence.
Join us for a close look at the 18th century Bromley Palace, now the nerve centre of Bromley Council – we’ll also ‘walk’ around the secluded Park behind the Palace
The 18th century Bromley Palace was the Georgian home of the Bishops of Rochester. It was transformed in 1845 to the home of Victorian entrepreneur Coles-Child. Now we know it as part of the Civic Centre and is the nerve centre of Bromley Council.Inside we will see the magnificent grand staircase, carved oak panels, Robert Adams fireplace, Mayor’s parlour and the Council’s Cabinet room.The online ‘walk’ will also take in the secluded Park behind the Palace where we’ll see the St Blaise Well, the Pulham Rocks, the Ice House, Ha Ha and Victorian folly.The virtual visit will take the form of a Zoom meeting led by members of the Bromley Civic Society. If you want to join the ‘walk’ please register for Eventbrite tickets by clicking the button below.
“On Saturday mornings many of us attended the Gaumont cinema at Bromley South where, for sixpence, we would sing popular songs before watching features like Zorro, Hopalong Cassidy, Roy Rogers and Dick Barton – Special Agent. At one time we had yoyo championships on stage and my pal Pete Gilbert, another Raglan Road pupil, won a dart board and I won a cricket bat which I still have.”
Browse our old photos, in 
from being dominated by tower blocks: Look here and email our ward councillors about:
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